On Sept. 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it was providing approximately $12 million to state and Tribal partners to further develop and implement Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management and response activities in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).

“Deer, elk, moose, and other cervids are important wildlife resources that continue to be at risk of contracting chronic wasting disease,” said Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “This funding will help APHIS and our state and Tribal partners find and implement new solutions to this challenging disease while protecting the health of animals and the livelihoods of our farmers.”

CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to death. The disease has spread widely and is difficult to control due to the limited number of effective management tools available.